The Dodge Grand Caravan is a direct relative of the Caravan, America's original minivan and one of Dodge's biggest success stories of the last three decades. Essentially the long-wheelbase version of the two, the Grand Caravan has long offered roominess, versatility and value -- especially for growing families with lots of kids and cargo to haul around. The Grand Caravan has another sibling: its twin, Chrysler's Town and Country.
Over the years, Dodge's hauler has faced increased competition from import-brand minivans. In some ways, it has risen to the challenge, offering groundbreaking features that have served to separate it from the pack. The Chrysler/Dodge minivans were the first to offer driver-side sliding doors. They are also the only vans on the market to offer Stow 'n Go seating. Eliminating the need to remove the seats and then find someplace else to store them when not in use, this system enables owners to quickly and easily fold both the second- and third-row seats into the floor, or flip the third-row split bench completely rearward to provide tailgate seating. New Swivel 'n Go allows you to turn the middle captain's chairs around to face the third row for a family-friendly conversation seating setup.
In other aspects, though, the Dodge Grand Caravan's performance has been less impressive. It was one of the last minivans to offer essential safety features like stability control and a rearview camera. Overall driving dynamics have often fallen short of the competition, thanks in part to this Dodge's unrefined and underpowered engines. And older Grand Caravans have been tarnished with less than stellar reliability records.
The Grand Caravan saw its stock rise significantly with its 2008 redesign. (The short-wheelbase Caravan is now dead.) Numerous safety features have been added, along with a host of innovative new amenities. The van has also benefited from new styling and a more satisfying V6, which offers respectable acceleration. These upgrades combine to make this Dodge incredibly compelling. Today's Grand Caravan is a winner in many respects, and shines as a true front-runner in the minivan segment.
Dodge Grand Caravan
Over the years, Dodge's hauler has faced increased competition from import-brand minivans. In some ways, it has risen to the challenge, offering groundbreaking features that have served to separate it from the pack. The Chrysler/Dodge minivans were the first to offer driver-side sliding doors. They are also the only vans on the market to offer Stow 'n Go seating. Eliminating the need to remove the seats and then find someplace else to store them when not in use, this system enables owners to quickly and easily fold both the second- and third-row seats into the floor, or flip the third-row split bench completely rearward to provide tailgate seating. New Swivel 'n Go allows you to turn the middle captain's chairs around to face the third row for a family-friendly conversation seating setup.
In other aspects, though, the Dodge Grand Caravan's performance has been less impressive. It was one of the last minivans to offer essential safety features like stability control and a rearview camera. Overall driving dynamics have often fallen short of the competition, thanks in part to this Dodge's unrefined and underpowered engines. And older Grand Caravans have been tarnished with less than stellar reliability records.
The Grand Caravan saw its stock rise significantly with its 2008 redesign. (The short-wheelbase Caravan is now dead.) Numerous safety features have been added, along with a host of innovative new amenities. The van has also benefited from new styling and a more satisfying V6, which offers respectable acceleration. These upgrades combine to make this Dodge incredibly compelling. Today's Grand Caravan is a winner in many respects, and shines as a true front-runner in the minivan segment.
